Then I saw this. Less than half the price, specially formulated for climbing.
Also I figure 12 braid will stuff in a bag with less chance of hockles.Arbor-Plex 1/2&rdquo; Rope

The line rating is 9,000 vs. 6,000 but I'm only 200 lb and I'm using a 4 to 1 purchase so the line will be loaded something above 50 lbs.

My first boat I had a big duffel of super expensive megabraid. Second time around I got the cheapest stuff REI had:cool:

blt2ski

11-26-2012 03:16 AM

Re: Choosing climbing line

Look at REI or other climbing places. 7/16 and 1/2" along with metric equals down to 8 mm are pretty common. I'm using line I bought many yrs ago. I want to say it is 12mm and 100m long.

Marty

SloopJonB

11-26-2012 03:51 AM

Re: Choosing climbing line

I believe you want HIGH stretch line for climbing, not low stretch. Sort of like anchor lines - if you slip, you want it to have some elasticity, not stop you suddenly.

MysticGringo

11-26-2012 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloopJonB
(Post 953196)

I believe you want HIGH stretch line for climbing, not low stretch. Sort of like anchor lines - if you slip, you want it to have some elasticity, not stop you suddenly.

If its for rock climbing, yes, you want a dynamic climbing rope. If its for ascending the mast, you want a static rope. It's what we use when ascending out of caves, but you definitely don't want to take a fall on a static. You're not taking falls when ascending, if the system slips, get down and sort out the issue. I've climbed the mast with a dynamic rope... one of the most frustrating experiences I've had. It'll take you twice as long.

jameswilson29

11-26-2012 08:22 AM

Re: Choosing climbing line

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpm
(Post 953154)

I
The next item is the actual line. I'm planning on getting 350' of line. 50 lbs.

There are several types of climbing ropes, static and dynamic, wet and dry. Dynamic stretches to absorb energy in a fall and wet is treated for protection from the weather.

If you go with the harness and ascender plan, you will only need a length equal to twice the height of your mast, because you will haul the midpoint of the rope to the top of the mast with two halyards and attach each ascender to a different half of the climbing rope for safety. Static dry rope would be fine. Of course, you will attach the halyards to the climbing rope with bowline knots and not shackles. Attach yourself to the mast with an ordinary safety harness and rope wrapped around the mast several time so if all else fails, you will slide down the mast slowly instead of falling to the deck.

Then I saw this. Less than half the price, specially formulated for climbing.
Also I figure 12 braid will stuff in a bag with less chance of hockles.Arbor-Plex 1/2&rdquo; Rope

The line rating is 9,000 vs. 6,000 but I'm only 200 lb and I'm using a 4 to 1 purchase so the line will be loaded something above 50 lbs.

Hmmm. I'm gonna say this is all pretty wicked overkill. I was an arborist in a past life and am still a regular rock and ice climber. I have a lot of experience with ropework and you're already breaking the first rule. KISS.

You don't need 350' of rope and you should steer clear of any complicated blocking systems. You're just trying to get yourself up the mast.

Here's how I do it:
A) I use a halyard. No sense in hauling another rope up the mast.
B) Rock climbing harness with a petzl grigri on a locking biner attached to the belay loop as my hard attachment. There are other ways to do this that are more convenient for ascending, but the grigri has the advantage of being useful for descending without having to change gear.
C) Simple ascender with a long (48" or 72" I forget) runner on the rope above my grigri, not attached to me at all - I use a rock exotica rescuscender, but they don't make them any more. Anything will do though, including just a prussik or a tibloc.
D) 48" runner double girth hitched to the mast, on a biner to my harness.

Climbing is a simple procedure. stand up in the loop attached to the ascender, pull the slack through the grigri, sit down on the grigri, advance the ascender a couple feet and repeat. As you do it, you slide the runner girth hitched to the mast up to provide a backup (if you are worried about the halyard.

To descend, you just remove your ascender and rappel on the grigri.

Easy peasy, no need for 350' of rope.

I would be real hesitant to get involved in anything complicated. The only skilled ropework guys you ever see getting involved in complicated systems involving lots of rope and mechanical advantage systems are rescue guys and that's because they're dealing in such high loads.....

If you insist on buying rope, arborplex will do OK. It has a very soft jacket, which is fine in an arborist climbing system, but will get chewed up fast if you're using any toothed ascenders on it. (I'm still not 100% sure what you're planning). If you're gonna use any toothed stuff on it, go to your local climbing shop and tell them you need 10mm static line.